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Grab your favorite beverage, relax, and let me tell you a story…

After Midnight - Black Phoenix #1

Re-edited, revised edition October 2013

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Dangerously Sexy Suspense

October 19, 2007

While I've Been Away...

Wow, I have taken some serious time off, haven't I? Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about any of you.

What have I been up to? Well, while the bankruptcy proceedings have been taking place, I have stayed busy working in the office of my husband's new business. I'm happy to stay that we've stayed very busy, but the business being seasonal, I'll be back to the keyboard very soon.

I'll keep you posted. Until then, stay safe and happy!

Sarah

July 24, 2007

Talking with Roxanne Wells




Hello friends, today I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine, erotic author Roxanne Wells. Roxanne has a wonderful book available from Dark Eden Press titled, SAVING SOPHIE, and a second coming this Thursday! I hope you enjoy learning a little about Roxanne Wells.



Tell us about yourself.


I’m a California girl. I have lived here most of my life. I just can’t seem to get enough of the beach. Staring out at that great big ocean gives me inspiration.



Your debut novel, SAVING SOPHIE, is available from Dark Eden Press. Please tell us about the book.


When Jesse Franklin made the move from insurance agent to Las Vegas cab-driver, being a ghost wasn't in his career plan. But then neither was saving a beautiful blonde from a psychotic killer known as the Cab-cutter. Caught between worlds, Jesse finds himself in a coma. He is the only person who can save Sophie from becoming the Cab-cutter's next victim. And Jesse has to do it, because Saving Sophie means more to him than life.


How did you come up with the story line?


When one night I was desperate for a cab and all of a sudden one showed up to rescue me.

How did you discover Dark Eden Press and what’s it like to write for them?

I discovered Dark Eden Press through a fellow author friend. I submitted Saving Sophie and they accepted it within a week. I love writing for DEP, their response time is quick, the cover art is fabulous, and the staff is so kind. If I have any problem they are right there to help me resolve the issue.

What made you decide to be a writer?


I’m new to the world of erotic writing and I dared myself to try it, of course I giggled all the way through the first sexy scenes. Writing is a great escape for me when the world is too serious, I love to throw in a little humor to make people laugh.

How do you research your books?

Everything I research is over the internet and what a great tool it is.

What goals have you set for yourself now that you’re a published author?

To get into print and actually make money.

What are you working on now?

I just finished an erotic fantasy entitled “Masterpiece” that will release on July 27th with Dark Eden Press. It’s about a sculptor whose statue comes to life. Very cute story with a bit of an adventure.

What does your family think of your writing?

They are very supportive and when I get a new cover they all gather around my computer and tell me how great it is. Of course I have no naked men on the front of any of my covers…yet. Those I’ll have to tuck away for my view only.

What does the future hold for you?

More erotic romance. I have a third one “AS YOU WISH” coming to Mardi Gras Publishing by the end of this year. Also, cowboys are in my future as well.

What’s your idea of the perfect hero?

Physically strong, sexy as hell, smells like Hugo cologne, has a smile that could melt your heart, and a kiss you feel in your thighs.

What is it in a man or woman that turns you on?

Man, definitely a man. His teeth, smile. If his teeth are perfect he’s damn near close.

Thanks to Roxanne for taking the time to answer some questions for me.

Friends, you can read an excerpt from either book by following their link. Check it out!

July 9, 2007

Conference Week

This is the week many writers have been gearing up for all year, for this is the week of the annual RWA National Conference. This year the conference will be held in Dallas, Texas. Originally I made plans to go, but as happens, my plans changed. No, not because at the moment I am without publisher. In fact, the National conference is a great place to search for a new publisher.

I want to wish all of my writer friends who will be attending, the best week possible. For those of you with agent or editor appointments, my fingers are crossed for you. And for those of you who are going to meet up with old friends or make new ones, to learn as much about the industry as you can in the hope of one day selling your first book, I know you’ll have a fabulous week.

For those of us who are not attending this year, you can read up to date conference information here:

Blogging National
A blog where RWA members attending the conference share the fun.

Official RWA Blog
Official conference blog with scheduled author blog times.

July 7, 2007

07.07.07

On this seventh day of the seventh month of two thousand and seven…

Okay, so you get the idea. Today is a big day for a lot of people, and not just those who are superstitious. Seven is believed by many to be the luckiest number, so today, with three sevens in a row - well, many believe today will hold extraordinary luck for them.

Everyone seems to be honoring this day in their own way, so I decided to join in the fun. Do you believe the day will bring you luck or is it just another day? If you’re a believer, are you planning something special?

Maybe your bit of good luck has already come to you this week? If so, I want to hear about it. Did you get a raise? Find a last minute babysitter? Discover a new author? Receive a fantastic review or sign a new contract?

July 4, 2007

Happy 4th

My kitchen needs cleaning.

My head is killing me.

I really want to go to the movies and eat lots of popcorn while losing myself in a world where robots from outer space come to destroy us. Yes, I admit it, I want to see Transformers.

What will you do today? Whatever it is, stay safe and happy.

July 3, 2007

I've got mail!


I just went out to check for mail and what did I discover? Something that always brings joy to my day. A box labeled Amazon.com. Okay, so I knew the box was coming. In fact, yesterday I was wondering why it hadn’t arrived yet, but that doesn’t detract from the thrill of receiving a new shipment of books. Seriously, you’re readers, you must know what I mean?

What did I order?

UNDEAD AND UNEASY by MaryJanice Davidson (what can I say, I love Queen Betsy!)

YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY by HelenKay Dimon (I read an excerpt on her MySpace page and was hooked!)

and

WITSEC: Inside the Federal Witness Protection Program

Honestly, I’m not sure which book I’m most excited about receiving or which I will read first. I have been forcing myself to spend a bit of time each day, brainstorming a new story. About a week and a half ago I believed I had my story idea. Then, a few days ago a new story popped into my head. A story that I can’t seem to let go of. A story about a woman in the Federal Witness Protection Program.

So, I sit at my desk, with my three new books strewn alongside my laptop and I wonder…which to read, which to read…

I might have to resort to a game of Einy, Meiny, Miney, Mo.

Did you get anything fun in your mailbox today?

July 1, 2007

Story Ideas


As a writer, the question I get asked the most is ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ The answer to this question is very simple. It is also a bit complicated. Confused? Hang in there, I’ll clarify.

Story ideas come to me all the time, from lots of different places. Sometimes it is as simple as a line in a song sparking my imagination. Usually a line of dialogue comes to me first. From there, I begin to imagine just who said it, the hero or the heroine. Or maybe it’s something the villain says. From there, I begin to see the scene unfold. (Yes, as odd as it sounds, my stories come to me like movies in my head.) I have written an entire book around one particular scene.

In fact, this is how AFTER MIDNIGHT came to me – as the opening scene. From there I had to figure out who the characters were. That brings me to the next part of the creative process for me. Who are the hero and heroine? Why are they doing what I envision them doing?

Again, I’ll use AFTER MIDNIGHT. The book opens with the heroine playing the piano in a bar after closing. Why, you ask? Well, that’s one of the questions I asked myself. Why is she doing this? Why is she drawn to play? Why doesn’t she play more often?

However, not every story idea starts with a line of dialogue. Sometimes it begins with a question. For NOT WITHOUT RISK, it was this question:

What if a killer set his sights on you and the only way to survive was to revisit a past you swore never to look back on?

For me, story ideas that come to me in the form of a question are easier to flesh out than those where I ‘see’ the scene in my head or that begin with a line of dialogue. Why? Simply because when I have one question, it’s simple to come up with a second question:

What if you then had to trust the type of man experience told you was untrustworthy?

Then, a third:

What if you fell in love with that man? Is love worth the risk?

Oops, I guess that’s four. LOL

Anyway, as you can see, for me at least, answering the question “Where do you get your ideas?” is not easy. I get my ideas from everywhere - people, movies, a line in a song, a news report on the television. From there they either become dialogue, scenes, or questions I feel the need to answer.

Still confused? I think I am. Which brings me to my favorite quote - so true in my case.

"Many people hear voices when no one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing." ~ Margaret Chittenden

June 27, 2007

Getting back on track

With everything that has happened recently, it’s would be easy for me to sit on the couch and stare at the walls in self-pity. Easy, and I must admit, some days very tempting. After all, I should be celebrating a new release right now. Not agonizing over the fact that my favorite bit of writing so far was out for a mere five days before I learned that not only would it not be available any longer, but I face a long wait before I get the rights to the book back and can publish it somewhere else.

Sorry, a bit of a temper fit there…

Okay, so I have decided that sitting on the couch and stewing will get me no where. It is a colossal waste of my time. What have I been doing instead? I have been getting ready to start my next book. I finally purchased a desk and set it up in the corner of the dining room. I’ve hung my corkboard, replaced the castors on my office chair with ones that will not damage my hard wood floor, and after a quick trip to the local Costco, I will set about moving my laptop from the kitchen table to my new work space.

Am I excited? Definitely. Not only will I have my own space, but the clutter will no longer cover my kitchen table, and tonight I can begin plotting out my next book.

What do I plan to write? A hot and sexy romantic suspense, of course. I’ll post further details soon.

Until then, stay safe and well.

~Sarah

June 20, 2007

Important News about Triskelion Publishing

Dear Readers,

I received some sad and disturbing news today. My publisher, Triskelion Publishing, is planning to file for bankruptcy. As of this afternoon, I have formally requested the rights to my books, NOT WITHOUT RISK and AFTER MIDNIGHT. I'm hoping to get those rights back so that I can find a new publisher and the books can become available again.

I want to thank all of you who've purchased my books and supported me over the past year. It has meant the world to me.

I will continue to write and move ahead with my career. I’m certain that good things will be heading my way and I will have news to share with you soon.

Until then, keep safe and be well.

~Sarah Grimm

June 7, 2007

Flavored Condoms


I have two sons, ages 13 and 12. Two sons as different as night and day.

My twelve year old is learning about puberty in school—And not just male puberty, but females as well. As a romance author, I don’t have a problem with this. I believe that when it comes to sexuality and more specifically sex in this day and age, ignorance is NOT bliss.

No, this post is not about sex education in school. But I am very open about sexuality and my children know they can come to me with their questions and I will answer them as honestly as possible. Let me tell you, a few days ago I was questioning my decision when my youngest came to me with a question.

Why? Well, this was his question:

“Mom, is there really such a thing as flavored condoms?”

“Yes, there is.”

“Why? What’s the point?”

“Ummm…”

I was a bit perplexed about how I was going to explain flavored condoms to a child that still thinks kissing is disgusting. Picture it, I’m sitting there, stuttering, frantically running explanations through my mind and trying to decide the best way to explain this.

I’m happy to say I survived, after a few shudders and a heart felt ‘Gross!’ my son survived, and now has more information than he ever wanted. LOL

May 31, 2007

Changes in print schedule

I am posting this today to let you all know that there have been a few changes at my publishing house in the post month, changes that affect me as an author and you as a reader. Specifically, the change that affects us both is this—Triskelion has made the decision to scale back their print titles.

Unfortunately, this means that the print release of NOT WITHOUT RISK has been put on hold. At this time, the book is still listed for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but I expect the August release date will be pushed back.

Don't want to wait? You can always dowload a copy today.


~Sarah

May 13, 2007

I've been tagged.


Okay, so I’ve been tagged by Melanie Atkins. What does that mean exactly? Well, it means that I am supposed to tell you eight things that no one knows about me, then tag eight people.

Wow, eight things…

1. Let’s see, the first story I ever wrote was in the fourth grade and I won a contest with it. It was titled MY CAT SNEAKER and was the true story about the cat I’d had since I was four years old. I still have the story and the award it won.

2. When I was fourteen, I met my best friend, Lisa. I swear we got into a fight at least once a year through High School. Twenty-three years later, we’re still best friends.

3. At twenty-one that same best friend and I decided on the spur of the moment to move to Kentucky. We went down for the weekend, rented an apartment and moved a few weeks later.

4. I got bored easily. I mean, very easily. I change my hair color or hair style often because it is one thing that can easily be changed.

5. I’d known my husband for six years before we ever went out on a date. It wasn’t that we weren’t interested in each other, we were just never unattached at the same time. Then one night I had a dream that we were married so I moved back to Michigan and hunted him down. We became engaged two weeks after our first date. This summer we will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and he still makes me laugh harder than anyone.

6. I love the smell of coffee, but can’t drink it. The only way I can stand coffee is to put a lot of sugar in it. I mean, a LOT of sugar. So I don’t drink it. Instead, I start my day with Diet Coke.

7. The worst thing anyone can say to me is that I can’t do something. That is, unless you really want me to do it. I take statements like ‘it’s not possible’ or ‘I can’t foresee you ever being able to’ as direct challenges. You tell me something like that and I will go out and show you why you’re wrong.

8. I have no problem approaching people and talking to them. I’ve always been this way. Even people others are intimidated by, I will approach just to say hi. I’ve met a lot of people this way: agents, editors, publishers, NYT bestsellers, even rock-n-roll stars. It’s just a part of who I am.

Is that finally eight? That was really hard for me to do. Now, I’m supposed to tag eight people. So, here's who I tagged:

Jennifer Loy
Rita Karnopp
MK Mancos
Tess Harrison
Maggie Nash
Sloane Taylor
J Morgan
Cindy Spencer Pape

Don’t forget my latest romantic suspense eBook, AFTER MIDNIGHT, releases in June from Triskelion Publishing. I’ll be back soon to tell you a little about it.

May 8, 2007

Promos & Ads & Chats... Oh my!


As a young girl who dreamed of one day being a published author I imagined what life would be like. I would have nothing else to do but sit at my typewriter (computers weren’t the norm then, you know) and transfer the stories from my head to the page. I would spend my days doing the thing I loved most, and once the book was written, my job was done. Oh, how wrong I was.

Since the release of my first romantic suspense in March, NOT WITHOUT RISK, and the upcoming June release of my second, AFTER MIDNIGHT, I have been busier than ever. There’s brainstorming the next book, kids, husband, three dogs… you know, the normal everyday things that as a young girl I never figured into my plan. Then there is everything else that we as authors do to prepare for a release and promote: ordering postcards and bookmarks, setting up advertisements, and scheduling chats.

The World Wide Web has made some of these things easier, and some of them more complicated. It doesn’t take much time at all to jump online, design and order postcards. This, I’m certain, is far easier than having to make telephone calls or fill out order forms and snail mail them in. Using email, it’s fairly simple to advertise with an online reader’s site. However, there are so many now, how do we as authors know which are the best? What sites should we chat at? How many chats should we do?

These are some of the issues that I, as a new author, have faced since the beginning of the year. Some of these things I believe I have done right (even if it was by luck), and some of them I most likely need a bit more work at. It’s a learning process, one that my fellow authors have made that much easier for me, since some of them have been doing this longer than I and have shared their knowledge.

So when during all of this ordering, scheduling, chatting, mailing, editing, taking-care-of-family time do I find the time to write? That’s a good question. Honestly, this week, there won’t be much time. My edits are coming, my dog needs to see a specialist who is a three hour round trip from home, and there are a few more promo items I need to order so that I can do a bookstore mailing. But hey, there’s always next week, right?

Oh my…

May 4, 2007

Changes...


Changes happen in everyone’s life and mine is no exception. There are a lot of changes going on in my house. From new cars, to the possibility of job changes for my husband. For some, changes as dramatic as a job change can be very stressful. For me, this is an exciting time.

Currently, my husband is self-employed. For those of you out there who are also self-employed, you know that while there are some very wonderful things about it (making your own hours, no boss to answer to, etc), there are a few down sides. Well, my husband is working on a deal that would give him the good things about being self-employed, while eliminating most of the bad things.

This would be a very big change for this house. Very. Big.

But as I said, I am excited. You see, besides writing, I also keep the books for my husband’s business. I do bill paying, taxes, billing of customers, etc. During the planning and negotiations about this job change, it has come up that they might like me to move my bookkeeping duties from my home to the new place of business.

Yup, I would be employed. GULP! I haven’t worked outside of the home in thirteen years. Yes, you read that correctly, thirteen! Could I handle it? Of course. After all, it’s nothing that I don’t do now for the business. But it would be a change. A big change.

I’m spoiled, I know, because my first thought is: “I don’t want to give up the freedom I have right now.” At the moment, if I want to take my kids to the beach, I shut down the computer and take them. If I want to set aside billing for an hour and watch a show on television, I do it. If I want to chat online in the middle of the day, no problem.

But there are upsides to this change as well. Tempting enough that I will give it much thought. If I make the change, I will have to re-train myself, actually get one of those schedules that my friend, Jennifer Talty talks about. Yikes! Me? Structured? I usually fly by the seat of my pants.

The biggest change, of course, will be in my writing time. That’s where I would have to make the most changes. And, perhaps, that would be a good thing. To have a structured writing time, a time that I sit down at the computer and write every day. Yeah, that could work for me.

Maybe. I’ll have to think about this some more.

April 27, 2007

5 Rose Review

I'm excited to say that NOT WITHOUT RISK has received Five Red Roses from Red Roses for Authors Reviews.

Here is what the reviewer had to say: "Not Without Risk is hot and sexy and thoroughly exciting. Sarah Grimm has written a real page turner full of crime, romance and sexual tension. A great story not to be missed! I Award five red roses."

You can see the full review here.

April 23, 2007

Back and ready to write

Yesterday I attended my local RWA chapter’s annual retreat, officially titled Mid-Michigan Retreat from Harsh Reality. Like many authors I know, I attend conferences and retreats in order to interact and bond with authors like myself. I also attend to learn what I can from these others and this year, I was looking for a bit of inspiration.

I had a wonderful time. As always, my Mid-Michigan family kept me laughing. We talked, caught up, plotted out our next works and cheered on those who had exciting things happen to them over the last year. I received an absolutely beautiful plaque in honor of my first sale, with my book cover, title and release date.


Isn’t it gorgeous?



As for that inspiration? Well, I’m brainstorming the next book as we speak. Or, to be more specific, the next three books. Yup, I have three of them that I’m trying to work out on paper right now before I start writing. Having never attempted more than one book at a time, this should be interesting.

Wish me luck, I just might need it.

April 16, 2007

Now what?

Okay, the good news is—wait, let me rephrase—the great news is, I finished AFTER MIDNIGHT and turned it in to my editor. YEAH!

I’ll tell you this book was very hard for me. I don’t know why, but it gave me fits right from the start. Getting this story out of my head was a struggle, but worth it. I couldn’t be happier with the story.

So now what?

I have been playing catch up for a week now, sleep, housekeeping, bills, groceries, etc. Some things I have caught up on, others, I’m still working on. But everyday I ask myself, ‘now what’? What do I write next? Do I take a short break or do I dive right back into it? Do I work on another 80,000 word book or go for the 100,000 word single title? Do I even have an idea worth 100,000 words?

I’m not sure what the answer is. For now, I guess I’ll just keep promoting my first two books, while brainstorming the next book. Maybe I’ll drag out some notes I have scattered throughout the house. There has to be a great idea in there somewhere.

Or…I could read a good book and forget about my own for a while. I finally have the time.

Now there’s an idea.

March 30, 2007

Citizen's Police Academy

Hey everyone, it's my day to blog at Killer Passion.
Check it out, I talked about my first day at Citizen's Police Academy.

March 17, 2007

Houston, we are a go!

Okay, so it’s a corny blog title, but, hey, I’m excited! You see, the new Triskelion Publishing website is up and running. It has a new look, lots of fun stuff to look at and it’s easy to use. Searching for a specific author? Just type the author's name in the search box and you will get a listing of all their titles.

I’m very excited about the new look. For one, I have my own author page on the site. Isn’t that fun? Just click the ‘authors’ link, scroll down until you see my name, and it will take you to a fun little page that Triskelion put together for me.

Of course, I’m even more excited because the launch of the new site means my first book is AVAILABLE NOW!



Sorry to yell, but I’ve been waiting to say that my entire life.

So mosey on over to the new Triskelion Publishing website and take a look. Oh, and while you’re there, make sure you check out my book, along with some of the great new releases this month. There’s something there for everyone.

March 11, 2007

My addiction


I’m taking a breather right now from my WIP to blog. Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons, the first that I haven’t blogged in a long time. The second is that I’m a little tired of my WIP. Don’t get me wrong, I love my characters, I think I have a good story to tell, but unlike a certain friend of mine, I do not like having my back against the wall.

At least not when it comes to writing.

During the process of writing this book, I’ve found myself struggling. Struggling with family and friends needing my time, as well as with attempting to get the story on the page and out of my head. Some books are like this. Why? I’m not sure anyone really knows. But here I sit, my deadline breathing down my neck and I’m beginning to sweat.

Will I make it? Boy, I hope so. I could really use a break on this story. I need to finish it and get on with other things that I’ve let pile up while writing. There are the important things, like paying the bills and going grocery shopping, but I’m talking about the things I do strictly for me. The little things that keep me sane. Like reading.

You see, I usually can’t stand to read while I’m writing. At least not when I’m writing as many hours a day as I’m doing right now. Not only have I not found a way to squeeze more than 24 hours in a day, but I find reading when I’m deep into my own story too distracting.

I have to tell you, I get cranky when I’m not reading. I’m like a junkie in need of a fix. I swear I get physical symptoms of withdrawal. I long to hold a book in my hands, smell the ink on the pages and lose myself in the story. I can actually hear my ‘to be read’ pile calling out to me right now!

Sigh. I’m not the only one who does this, am I?

Well, it’s back to the WIP for me. It’s time to get this book done so I can get my ‘fix’. Have a great week, everyone, and don’t forget to join me for a chat tomorrow at Romance at Heart 8pm EST.

March 7, 2007

The new website is live...almost




I got my first glimpse of the new Triskelion Publishing website just now and WOW! Is it spectacular! Some people are saying they still aren't able to view it, and even for me it's not totally live, but folks if you have a chance to check it out, you should.

www.triskelionpublishing.com

I hope you can see it as it's very exciting. The link to buy books doesn't work just yet, but I'm very excited to see that my author page is up. Fun, fun, fun!

If it doesn't work for you, hang in there. Check back daily. I promise it's worth the wait.

~Sarah

March 2, 2007

Contest Announcement

Who doesn't love free prizes? I know I sure do. During the month of March, I am running a contest on Killer Passion a blog I share with seven other romantic suspense authors.

How do you enter, you ask? Just jump on over there, check out the question I posted, and place your best guess in the comments section. It's that easy!

The winner will be announce on April 2nd, 2007 and will receive a free copy of NOT WITHOUT RISK.

Check it out and good luck!

February 28, 2007

Important Information

With a March release date, I feel that it is important for me to let you know that the Triskelion Publishing website is being revamped. What does this mean for those of you interested in purchasing NOT WITHOUT RISK?

Between March 1st and March 5th, Triskelion Publishing's website will be unavailable as the site switches servers. Don't fret, the new site will be new and improved and back online before you know it.

Make sure you check it out after March 5th, and join in the month long party. www.triskelionpublishing.net

And while you're there, don't forget to purchase a copy of my very first romantic suspense release, NOT WITHOUT RISK.

~Sarah

February 23, 2007

A Day at the Symphony


Warning: Yuck factor!


The other day I drove/chaperoned for my son’s class field trip to the symphony. Honestly, it wasn’t something I had time for, but I am a believer in the importance of the arts in education, so when I found out they needed drivers or the field trip would get called off, I volunteered.

First, I have to tell you that the symphony was very enjoyable. The music they chose was fun and recognizable to most of the kids. The highlight was when the symphony performed Scheherazade, Op. 35, 1st-4th movement, during which they projected drawings illustrating the story on the screen above the stage. These drawings were done by the kids before hand and mailed in. That was fun and exciting!

So picture me, sitting in the darkened symphony hall, in the row directly below the balcony and watching the drawings flicker past when all of a sudden a child above gets sick. Yup, you guessed it, I was thrown up on. For whatever reason, maybe just that this was a child and they panicked, a child in the balcony decided to get sick over the side of the balcony instead of on his own shoes. Lucky me, I was sitting directly below him. Yuck!

I keep telling myself there’s a story in it, but whenever I think about it, I can’t stop laughing long enough to brainstorm one. Maybe later.

February 19, 2007

My First Author Interview


Hey, my first ever author interview started today at http://www.sloanetaylor.com/blog/




The interview runs today through Friday, with a different portion of the interview being posted each day. Make sure you check it out. And remember to leave me a question in the comments section! I'll be checking in daily and answering all questions.

February 15, 2007

New Cover Art!

Wow, I just got my new print cover for the August 2007 mass market release of NOT WITHOUT RISK. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see this book in eFormat in March 2007, believe me. But I'm even more excited about the print release. I'm just one of those old school people who likes to hold the book in hand. Especially if it has my name on it!


Check it out and let me know what you think.


February 13, 2007

Come chat with me!


9 am EST - ?
I'd love to see you there!



February 6, 2007

Contest!

Hey everyone, with the e-release of my first book,
NOT WITHOUT RISK,
less than a month away, I'm announcing a new contest.

I have multiple wonderful prizes to give away including a
free download of my book.
Also up to win is this beautiful dichroic glass set, by
glass artist Cristine Grimm, of SilverFire Studios.

How to win? Just sign up for my newsletter. Yup, it's that easy. By subscribing to my newsletter, you are automatically entered to win my contests.
The winners will be drawn April 1, 2007.

Sign up for my newsletter HERE




Thanks and good luck!
~Sarah

February 5, 2007

Whew! The edits are done.

It’s Monday morning, my family is still asleep because we’re buried under nearly two feet of snow in three days. The temperature is a whopping 2 degrees F with a wind chill of -30. The schools are closed, the churches are closed, heck, even the malls closed down the other day. And you know what? I don’t care, because I finished my edits!

Yup, sent them off yesterday, right before my cable internet failed because of the weather.

So what now, you ask? Unfortunately, well, okay fortunately, I have to get to work on the next book. I put it aside to work on edits, and now need to really get cruising on that story so I can get it turned in on time.

“Sorry, honey, I can’t shovel, I’m writing.”

Yeah, I like that. It’s got a nice ring to it.

January 29, 2007

Interesting...

**Oops, this was supposed to publish to Killer Passion today. Oh well, I'll post it there, too.**


As a writer I am constantly learning something new. Some days I learn about emotions or human traits, some days I learn a little more about craft. And then there are the days I learn about myself. I had one of those days, a few of them actually, just this past week. I received my edits for NOT WITHOUT RISK and discovered I have a favorite word. What do I mean by this? Simple, there is one word in the English language that I seem to be hung up on—one little word that I use over and over in my writing. It’s not a bad word, until it’s overused.

So I open the email from my editor and I think to myself, Hmmm, I swore I ditched my favorite word years ago. Not so, it seems, I just exchanged it for a new favorite word. This is not good.

Well, it’s good in the way that now I’ve been made aware of this trait and am correcting it. It’s good because as I slave over edits and the removal of this word in my manuscript, I watch NOT WITHOUT RISK become that much better a story for it. And it’s good because I have yet to turn in AFTER MIDNIGHT and so I can go through that manuscript and make corrections before it is turned in to my editor.

So, I’m off to work now, back to the edits. After all, there’s just a little over a month left before you can download NOT WITHOUT RISK. Pick it up from Triskelion Publishing, March 2007.

Sarah Grimm
hot sex and handguns
www.sarahgrimm.com

January 21, 2007

Burning the midnight oil

I got the email Friday telling me that my edits for my first book, NOT WITHOUT RISK, are coming this week. Meanwhile, after being sick for a week and a half, I'm behind in my daily word count for AFTER MIDNIGHT and frantically trying to make my deadline. So I’m thinking you all won’t see much of me for a while.

Okay, I know, I’m not a big blogger as it is, but the next few weeks are going to be nasty for me. No more surfing the internet, no more chatting on my friend’s blogs, and no more cyber-flirting darn it. I need to buckle down and write, write, write.

So if you don’t hear from me for a while, you know what I’m up to. And if you happen to be driving past my house in the middle of the night and see my light on, bring me a Diet Coke and a Hostess Golden cupcake, will you? Just make sure you knock softly or you’ll wake up the three ankle-biters.

Talk to you soon.

Sarah

January 17, 2007

Ugly Betty's got nothin' on me

Back in the swing of things after five days of being so sick I haven’t gotten off the couch. Well, except for the trip to the Urgent Care center on Sunday, followed by the trip to my doctor’s office on Monday. I have a list as long as my arm of things I need to accomplish. Unfortunately, I can’t really go anywhere. I might feel better, but I’m still pretty scary to look at. Why? Because what’s knocked my out for the past five days is a skin infection on, of all places, my face. Ugly!

I’m not kidding, seriously ugly! Ugly Betty? Puleeze, she’s gorgeous compared to me right now. Even worse than the nasty looking infection is the pain. The pain is unbelievable. The doctor offered me pain meds, but being the type of person who likes to feel in control at all times, I said ‘no thanks’. What was I thinking? Feeling drunk for a few days wouldn’t have been so bad. At least I’d have felt no pain.

Anyway, now that I’m feeling better, it’s back to my WIP. Boy do I have a lot of missed writing days to make up! Anyone have any tricks to get the creative juices flowing? Do antibiotics work, because I’ve got some serious antibiotics going? I wonder if the doc would give me those pain pills. I bet I could write some interesting things while taking those.

January 12, 2007

Life is NEVER boring

Something fun we did on a Triskelion loop the other night was list things we've done in life...

Think your life is boring? Let me tell you, life is never boring. Take a minute and think about everything you've done in life. It's fun! Here's what I've come up with so far...

  1. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
  2. Said “I love you” and meant it
  3. Gone skinny dipping
  4. Stayed up all night and watched the storm roll in over Lake Michigan
  5. Kept a friend for 23 years (and counting)
  6. Given birth to two sons (not at the same time)
  7. Seen a total eclipse
  8. Taken my kids to a drive-in movie
  9. Starred in a commercial
  10. Kissed on the first date
  11. Fallen in love at first sight
  12. Married my sexiest fantasy
  13. Wrote a book
  14. Sang off tune (all the time)
  15. Broken a bone
  16. Dyed my hair
  17. Survived 12 years with stage 4 endometriosis
  18. Downhill skied
  19. Discovered my first grey hair
  20. Spent the first year of my second son’s life in and out of the hospital with him
  21. Driven over 100 mph
  22. Donated 12” of my hair to Locks of Love
  23. Had my slip fall off walking out of a store
  24. Had my top fall off in Lake Michigan
  25. Cried as the Twin Towers fell
  26. Survived a tornado
  27. Learned to crochet
  28. Made love in a car
  29. Gotten the band of a country music star drunk after the show
  30. Stayed up all night with a rock band then went to work the next day – only to do it all over again the next night
  31. Published a book
  32. Took a chemistry test drunk (and passed)
  33. Been propositioned by a bartender too handsome for his own good
  34. Turned down the bartender and went home to my husband
  35. Visited Ground Zero (cried again)
  36. Been to a sex shop
  37. Took my drunk friend home after she asked a cop if I could ‘see his gun’ – Yes, me, she wanted him to let me see his gun
  38. Made an ass of myself in public
  39. Panned for gold
  40. Walked across the Mackinac Bridge
  41. Passed out red condoms as promos at RWA National conference 2006


So what have you done? Come on, you can tell me.

January 9, 2007

I finally caught a break…

Wow, this last week has been tough. Every time I sat down to write, I thought to myself, ‘okay, this is it, let’s go’ and then something would happen to keep me from getting anything accomplished. From my husband’s minor car accident (he’s fine), to the emergency trip to the vet for the dog. My son broke his toe at a birthday party and had to call and tell me about it, and my other son came down with an ear infection. But the worst part was that when I did find time to write, it just wouldn’t come.

I tried brain drain, online puzzle games, and my favorite trick, Hostess golden cupcakes. Okay, so that last one isn’t as much about unclogging the mind as it is about pleasing myself, but hey, I tried. Nothing worked. Until last night, when I finally decided to chuck it and write out of order.

To some people this doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I’ve never been one that could do this. I’m a 'pantser', meaning I don’t plot, chart, or do anything more complicated that jot thoughts into a spiral notebook that goes with me everywhere I travel. For me, I learn the story from the characters as they tell it to me; my fingers typing as quickly as a woman who never had a typing class in her life can type. This usually means that I write a story from beginning to end, in order. Not so last night.

I have to tell you, sitting down and writing the black moment broke me from my slump and things seem to be moving along at a pretty consistent clip now. Getting it on paper (or on computer as the case may be) really helped me to see where my characters were and where they were going. This, in turn, helped me to see just what I needed the reader to see at the point I was at in my WIP. I’m thrilled to say, I’m now back on track.

Are there any tricks you use when you hit a slump in your day job? Diet Coke, cupcakes, an hour in the gym? What are they?

January 8, 2007



It was my day to blog at Killer Passion. Check it out.